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Does Penn State football need to add offensive tackle depth?

By Alec Whitaker

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Penn State Nittany Lions players sing the alma mater on the field after the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Penn State Nittany Lions players sing the alma mater on the field after the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Landon Tengwall #58 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Northwestern Wildcats. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Landon Tengwall #58 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Northwestern Wildcats. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Young/Developing Players

Next, we’ll look at offensive linemen who will be heading into their second, third or fourth year in 2023.

With McNeil gone, Penn State is down to three offensive linemen from the 2022 class. These players will be in their second season with Penn State football in 2023.

Former 4-star recruit Drew Shelton has started the last two games for Penn State at left tackle with Olu Fashanu out with an injury. Shelton has played well for a true freshman, but the next time he steps on the field, his redshirt will officially be burned. There is a chance Shelton is starting for Penn State full time in 2023.

The other two members from the 2022 class are Vega Ioane and JUCO transfer J.B. Nelson. Both have seen action this year because of injuries, but both are interior linemen and will likely stay inside for the rest of their careers.

Moving to the 2021 class, the lone offensive lineman from that class is Landon Tengwall. Tengwall played some tackle last year but was starting at left guard this year before suffering a season ending injury.

The staff may feel that Tengwall is best suited for the interior, but he has shown the ability to play tackle before and could factor into the tackle rotation in 2023 due to there being more interior linemen than tackles on the roster.

Lastly, taking a look at a few members of the 2020 class that are yet to see much playing time.

Nick Dawkins, a former 3-star recruit, looks like he will factor into the center depth in the coming years and isn’t an option at tackle. Another 3-star recruit from the 202 class is Ibrahim Taore. Taore is yet to see any action, but at 6-foot-5 and 312 pounds, he could be an option at tackle in the coming years. Finally, there is Golden Israel-Achumba. Isreal-Achumba has played a little bit on special teams this year but has not played on the offensive line. At 6-foot-4 and 312 pounds, he is likely an interior player in the future.

Out of this group, Shelton looks like the only sure-fire tackle, with Tengwall and Taore being possibilities.

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